Go on an amazing journey across Bhutan from West to East in Trekking Planner’s Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days. This incredible sightseeing tour in Bhutan takes you to some of the most famous places and landmarks that this country has to offer! Furthermore, in this Explore Bhutan tour, Trekking Planner brings you deeper into the country by exploring the famed Bhumthang Valley. Go on a journey for 10 days across Bhutan and visit Paro, Thimphu, the Bhumthang Valley and the ancient capital of Trongsa!
With this Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days you’ll get to see some incredible sights and culture. Trekking Planner does advice to try and book this tour to start on Wednesdays as then you can enjoy the local market and see the national archer games on day 4 in Thimphu, Bhutan’s capital city. If you want to explore around the country of dragons and see more than just the famous touristic places, we do recommend booking this incredible Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days! The tour includes a short hiking trip as well.
The route of the 10 days Explore Bhutan tour:
Have a look below to see every sightseeing place of the 10 days Explore Bhutan tour with a short description.
Paro:
It all starts in Paro, home to the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. After you land at Paro’s International Airport your guide and Trekking Planner’s representative will already be waiting to meet and greet you. After a short but pleasant formality we drive of to you hotel for check in and some refreshments. In the afternoon we go on a short guided tour sightseeing at Paro’s Museum and the Buddhist Shrine located in an old watchtower. At the evening we see the first of Bhutan’s nightlife and enjoy a pleasant dinner before turning in for the night. The next morning after breakfast, we go sightseeing at some of Paro’s famous places such as; the Paro Rinpung Dzong, the Kichu Temple and the ruins of the Drugyel Dzong. After lunch we head up to the famous Taktsang Monastery also known as the Tiger’s Nest Monastery. The climb can be strenuous for the inexperienced but you can always hire a donkey or pony to take you up! The monastery is just incredible and possible the biggest highlight of the day. After enjoying the sights and listening to an informative explanation about the monastery and its origins from our guide we head back down for dinner.
Thimphu:
On day 3 of the 10 days Explore Bhutan tour we head to the capital city Thimphu. Depending on whether you arrived in Paro on a Wednesdays you can enjoy some extra activities here. The drive is really pleasant and the views just as incredible. On the way to Thimphu you can see views of the Bride of Kanchenjunga, Mt Chomalhari (7,326m/24,035ft). After we check in to our hotel and enjoy lunch we head out to explore the first sights of Thimphu. We start by visiting the famous white Memorial Chorten, followed by a short walking tour around Thimphu. Enjoy dinner back at the hotel before heading out as the nightlife has a lot to offer as you would expect from a capital city! The next day we visit Thimphu’s famous places before lunch such as; the School of Arts & Crafts, the Folk Heritage Museum and the Folk Heritage Museum. In the afternoon we go sightseeing at the Motithang Takin Reserve Park, the Tashicho Dzong and the Zangdopelri Temple. After dinner you can enjoy the last sights of Thimphu as the next day we drive to Punakha!
Punakha:
Today we head deeper into the country by driving to Punakha via the famous Dochula Mountain Pass at an altitude of 3,150m/10,335ft! Just past the mountain pass you’ll see 108 Buddhist Stupas and on clear days you can see the highest mountain in Bhutan, Mt Gangkhar Puensum (7,570 m/24,840ft)! We check into our hotel and enjoy lunch before going out and exploring Punakha. This afternoon we visit the beautiful Punakha Dzong and the Souvenir Making Center. For those who are up to it, we can do also a short evening hike up to the Khamsum Yuley Lakhang Stupa and the Chimi Lakhang temple.
The Bhumthang Valley:
During days 6 and 7 of the Explore Bhutan tour, we go exploring around Bhutan’s Bhumthang Valley! Our first destination is the village of Jakar. We start of by driving through the Pele La Mountain Pass at a height of 3,420m/11,221ft. Followed by a short visit to the Chendebji Chorten and a lunch break in Trongsa. Afterwards we head through the Youtong La at a height of 3,425m/11,237ft and continue on until reaching Jakar. Depending on your preference and availability we check in to our hotel or mountain lodge and enjoy dinner before turning in for the night.
Today we explore the Bhumthang Valley and go sightseeing at the Jambav Lhakang Temple, the Iron Castle (Chakar Temple), and the Kurjey Monastery Complex. Afterwards we leave our vehicle behind and prepare for a short hike through the valley to the Swiss farm. Hiking through the county side lets you experience more of authentic Bhutan and see some unique sights of nature! During thing the hike we’ll visit also the Tamshing Lhakang Temple and the the Kunchok Sum Temple. At the Swiss farm our vehicle will be waiting to drive to our next hotel or mountain lodge for lunch and check in. In the afternoon we go more sightseeing and visit the newly built Namhai Nyingpo Monastery, the traditional Hospital, the Lamay Gompa, and Bhutan’s largest Dzong, the Jakar Dzong!
Trongsa:
Known as the seat of Bhutan’s royal ancestors, Trongsa our next day’s destination is truly worth the visit! Having already enjoyed lunch here you might have noticed the incredible Dzong. This is the Trongsa Dzong and was built by the founding rulers of Bhutan! After arriving back at Trongsa and checking in to our hotel or mountain lodge to enjoy lunch we go sightseeing here. Afterwards, we visit the Ta Dzong watchtower and ancient temple.
The next day we make our way back to Paro, which will take up most of the day. Passing back by Punakha and Thimphu we reach back Paro in the afternoon. After dinner we enjoy some of the last sights and take a stroll around Paro’s old town. The next day after breakfast you’ll be transferred back to the airport for your ongoing departure.
Trekking Planner can extend this Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days for more days in Bhutan or even with a visit to Nepal as well! Just inform us during your booking so we can organize your Himalayan adventure!
Important Note
To offer an even better service to our travelers, we ask you to take a look at these information points before booking your trip with us.
Best seasons for the Bhutan sightseeing tour of 7 days:
Either fall/autumn or spring will be the best seasons for the Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days days. In the fall/autumn which last from September until early November the weather is a bit cooler but the skies are clear blue. Do note that the days are shorter during the fall/autumn season. In spring the weather is warmer, but in the afternoon more clouds can block of the views.
Itinerary Disclaimer:
Trekking Planner’s Explore Bhutan tour of 10 days follows our standard itinerary published within this page. While some days may end up longer or shorter due to travel times, all accommodation, transportation and meals as per the itinerary are included while on tour in Bhutan with Trekking Planner. If any changes need to be made on the itinerary while on tour due small chance of political, or natural occurrences, our representative will take full responsibility in completing your itinerary where possible.
Climate and Weather:
Before booking any trip to a Himalayan country it’s important to understand the climate and weather of the country you plan to visit. As stated above the best seasons are spring or fall/autumn. When you think spring you think warm weather, in Bhutan this is as well but in the morning and night the temperatures can get below zero! So always make sure to check which season you which to travel and what to pack.
